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So, you just bought a new PC or Laptop with Windows 8 operating system, and wondering how to set PATH and Classpath on Windows 8; Or, you might have just upgraded your windows 7 laptop to professional edition of Windows 8 and looking to set JDK Path to compile Java programs. Not to worry, this is the second step for anyone who wants to learn Java programming. Of course, the first step is to install JDK. In this Java tutorial, we will see step by step guide to set Java PATH and CLASSPATH in Windows 8 operating system. By the way, if you are learning Java in Windows 7 operating system, You should still be able to set Java path and classpath in Windows 7 by following steps given here, because navigation steps for modifying environment variables on Windows 7 and Windows 8 are almost same.

For absolutely Java beginners, It's important to know What is Path Environment variable and Why do you need to set Path for Java? PATH is an environment variable, which contains the location of executable or commands. When you type a command in command prompt, Operating System like Windows 7 or Windows 8, looks PATH to find and execute that command. Actually for running Java program, you don't need to set PATH because Windows 8 comes with bundled JRE which is sufficient for running Java applications. Setting PATH simply means including JDK bin directory into PATH environment variable. You need to set PATH to compile Java source code and create Java class files. JDK bin directory contains javac and javacommands to compile and run Java programs. CLASSPATH is little different than Path and it's used by JVM rather than Operating System to load classes at runtime. I suggest reading the difference between Path and Classpath and How Classpath works in Java and to know more about these fundamental concepts.

Setting JDK Path and Classpath in Windows 8 and Windows 7

This tutorial assumes that you know how to download and Install JDK in Windows 8 machine. By the way, if you are an absolute beginner and just starting with Java, then it's important to download the correct version of JDK based upon whether you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 8. See how to install JDK 7 on Windows 8 operating System to learn more about installing JDK in Windows 7 and 8.

Once successfully installed, it's time to set PATH and Classpath for Java. By the way, If you know how to set PATH in Windows XP, then this would be very easy for you.

Steps to set JDK Path and Classpath in Windows 7 and Windows 8

Before setting JDK Path, let's first verify Type javac in command prompt in windows 8 and see the output, if you get javac is not recognized as an internal or external command, means JDK Path is not set.

Confirm that PATH is not set for Java by typing javac in command prompt.

Open Control Panel and Select System and Security

Select System

Select Advanced System Settings

Select Environment Variables

Select and Edit Path Environment variable

Verify Java path by typing javac in command prompt

Step 1 : Open Control Panel in Windows 8

Step 2 : Select System

Step 3 : Select Advanced System Settings in Windows 8

Step 4 : Select Environment Variables

Step 5 : Select and Edit Path Environment variable in Windows 8

Step 6 : Verify Java path by typing javac in command prompt

just type javac command, this time, you will see different output which shows various details of java command rather than getting an earlier error.You can follow a similar process to set Classpath in windows 8 as well. But it’s not a good practice to use CLASSPATH environment variable to run Java application, instead, every Java application should use –classpath option to specify classpath. You can also see How Classpath works in Java for more details on Java Classpath. Now you are ready to write Java code and compile and run them. Why not just try with HelloWorld Java program. By the way to know more about PATH and Classpath, which is essential for Java developers, See following tutorials

After working on the path as sa, I typed in java on the cmd window and it worked, but javac still doesn't.This is my path value as at now:%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\PharosSystems\Core\;C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin

It gives me this error when i run a .bat file to run my java program: "D:\Videogames\Minecraft\server>java -Xmx1024M -jarcraftbukkit.jar -o true'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file."

Nice Tutorial, for the new Os Windows 8. The Way you describing with the diagram is excellent. Thanks A lot. Representing the Windows 8 Setting Class path for the Java JDK in Diagrammatic Form. its Nice.For more Detail Explanation for the Setting Class path for Java JDK in windows 8 Step by step

To set up path for java in windows 8, there are to box is one is user variable and second one is system variable, so from system variable(below box) find "Path" and select that and than click on "Edit" button. Type a Simi colon(;) at the end of the line and also do not delete line, and than past complete path of java installation folder for example :C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_67\bin: and than click Ok.Hope it will work for you

@Puneet is right, whenever you change environment variable e.g. PATH, CLASSPATH, JAVA_HOME, JRE_HOME, TOMCAT_HOME, MAVEN_HOME etc, make sure you open a new command prompt, so that new set of environment variable takes effect and available in shell.

While adding path I deleted path which is related to system as well as other installed apps.so if I type any commands in cmd promt like( ipconfig etc) am getting error...lt can work only for java related comands.so someone please suggest me about how to regain the path.am really tired of googling it still I couldn't find.

While adding path I deleted path which is related to system as well as other installed apps.so if I type any commands in cmd promt like( ipconfig etc) am getting error...lt can work only for java related comands.so someone please suggest me about how to regain the path.am really tired of googling it still I couldn't find.

i lost my predefined path for windows8.. instead of appending it i placed new java path and it does not work.. pls let me know if u kno how to make it work send me how to set my perdefined path for windows 8 64 bit..my mail id is divya34.k@gmail.com

Hi Divya,For windows 8, there is an alternate approach to set the java path using "C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath" . This discussion in stack-overflow might be helpful..http://stackoverflow.com/a/34375859/5699213

i lost my predefined path for windows 8.. instead of appending it i placed new java path and it does not work.. please let me know if u know how to make it work send me how to set my predefined path for windows 8 64 bit..my mail id is sandhya.battagani@gmail.com